Cardinal Basil Hume has spent almost his entire life in the Catholic Church, and first became a monk while he was still a teenager.

He sees himself as a "benign dictator" and regularly forces through decisions against a majority of his bishops.

A stern supporter of the Vatican's line on priestly celibacy, women priests, homosexuality, contraception and abortion, he is tough on dissenters within the English church.

The 76-year-old is also known for his distaste at society's "obsession with sex".

He said Princess Diana was "no saint"

He sparked controversy over Diana, Princess of Wales last year when he called for an end to the "hype" surrounding her. He said she had been "by no means a saint".

He speaks out publicly if the plight of others touches him, such as the Guildford Four, whose case he took up after meeting the dying father of Gerry Conlon. They were wrongly imprisoned for IRA offences in 1975 and were released in 1989.

Although firm about his beliefs, he was keen to retire in 1998.

Newcastle United: The cardinal is an ardent fan

He expressed a desire to end his days in his old monastery, while perhaps maintaining his lifelong passion for Newcastle United football club and a spot of fishing. But the Pope ordered him to retain his position.

The toughest test of his leadership came in 1992 when the Church of England voted for the ordination of women.

Thousands of Anglo-Catholics turned to Rome, and Cardinal Hume made the controversial decision to accept Anglican clergymen who were already married.

Although he prefers to steer clear of personal revelations, he has spoken occasionally of the loneliness of celibacy. He has also touched upon the "dark nights of the soul", when he doubted his faith.

The son of a Scottish Protestant father and a French Catholic mother, his early faith was influenced by the Benedictine monastery at his English public school in Ampleforth, North Yorkshire.

The MIllennium Dome: Cardinal Hume threatened to boycott it

After studying at the school's sister college, St Benet's Hall, Oxford, he went to study in Switzerland.

He has recently been part of a threatened church leaders' boycott of the Millennium Dome, having stressed the importance of the coming "Holy Year".

But however he celebrates it, the Millennium is an event that Cardinal Hume says he is "determined" to attend.